The Man Who Turned Into Himself by David Ambrose After losing his wife and son in an accident, Rick Hamilton finds himself inhabiting a parallel universe in which the tragedy has not happened. The trouble is that nobody believes his story when he tells them, not even his wife or his best friend, Harold. They want him to have treatment, to admit that he is mentally sick. Can Rick really trust them? What is really interesting is that the lines blur between whichever reality he thinks he lives in. At the end you wonder what is really real. A very thought provoking book.

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol -- seared into the chest of a murdered physicist -- he discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati. He along with the dead physicist's daughter Vittoria Vetra discover that the anti-mater that she created with her father has been stolen and placed somewhere in the Vatican. Meanwhile with the Pope's recent death the bishops have gone to the Vatican to vote on the new Pope, but the 4 favored Bishops have been kidnapped and their lives threatened while the clock is ticking. Will Robert find the anti-matter or will he be too late? A very exciting read, it only took me a few days most of which I finished half on the first day. Can't wait to read Da Vinci Code.

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon. 15 year old Christopher finds the body of his neighbor's dog, Wellingon, impaled on a pitchfork and is blamed for the killing. Christopher is a high-functioning autistic and relates better to animals than to people. He hates to be touched by any person and seems to not have an emotional connection to anyone including his family. He also doesn't trust strangers and hates people who lie as he feels that he always tells the truth.

He decides that he needs to find out who killed Wellington but ends up discovering a lot about himself and his parents. He has to decide if he can trust his parents after he discovers that his simple life is now very complicated. A very intense read as it is from his point of view which focuses on very minute details and mathematical equations. This is a British novel so some of the terminology is different. Highly recommended.

With a Vengeance by Eileen Dreyer features Maggie O'Brien -- A trauma nurse and paramedic who works one of the toughest EDs in the city. When people start dying who shouldn't be she starts to question the system. She quickly discovers that when she choices sides that she becomes an outsider and is on her own. When her own life becomes at risk who can she really trust. An interesting read, kind of dramatic but good. We mostly get things from her point of view but interspersed there are chapters of other's point of view that are anonymous which leads to the drama and suspence. I will probably read more by this author.

Chasing Shakespeare by Sarah Smith is a story about a self-professed "hick from Vermont," window installer/Shakespeare scholar Joe Roper who while cataloging an obscure collection discovers evidence that might refute the Bard's authorship of his hallowed canon. If Joe announces his find, it could make his career as a literary scholar-but it would also mean betraying his beloved mentor, Roland Goscimer, who's on the cusp of publishing part two of his long-awaited Shakespeare biography. Posy Gould, a flashy, aggressive Harvard student, who believes the Earl of Oxford is the author of the canon, jets with Joe to England to resolve the matter by sleuthing through libraries, graveyards, castles and stately homes-and, vicariously, through the glitter and duplicity of the Elizabethan stage and court. Smith, a Harvard Ph.D., knows academia can be as hazardous as cocktails with the Borgias and renders that world well, while making the Shakespeare authorship controversy as riveting as any film noir plot bursting with bodies.

Out of Sight by T.J. MacGregor deals with many moral issues. Human experimention is the major one and do we have the right to play god. Dr. George Nash has discovered how to make things and people invisible with the help of an indian named Luis. He manages to make a couple invisible but one (Logan) escapes while her husband Tyler is imprisoned. 3 years later Logan comes back to break Tyler out and destroy the project. A family camping accidently gets made invisitble as well and all hell breaks loose. A very fast moving and thought provoking book.

Slow River by Nicola Griffith Lore awoke in a dark alley, damaged and afraid. Who could she trust, not her family that wouldn't pay her ransome, until a stranger, Spanner takes her in and she starts living in the hidden dark side of society. Credible internet charity scams, kidnapping, fashionable designer drugs, sex, sadism, advanced digital porn, sabotage, information and identity theft are all a part of society and gives us a glimpse of what the future may hold. She discovers herself in both worlds and must decide where she will live. A very interesting read.

Nathan's Run by John Gilstrap is a sit on the edge of your seat thriller/murder mystery. 12 year old Nathan has been incarsurated for almost 10 months when he fatally stabs a prison guard and escapes. A the surface it looks like a run of the mill pyschopath teen but once you dig down things just don't seem right. How did he get a knife and what was he doing alone with the guard in an isolated part of the detention center. We see the story from several points of views, Nathan's, the cop on the case and as a third person. It isn't a long story but is packed with uncertainty as you wonder if anyone will listen to Nathan's side? I got kind of frustrated with this edge of your seat drama but I did enjoy listening to it on tape.

Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk by David Ambrose Charlie monk is the ultimate superhero. He has no fear. He has no conscience. And he has no memory of his past. Meanwhile Dr Susan Flemyng. a biologist specialising in brain diseases, has found a way to transplant artificial memories into the minds of her patients. But her discovery has already found its way into the wrong hands and it seems that Charlie is in fact some kind of bionic military guinea pig. As you read from both their points of views I found it hard to determine what was real and what wasn't. Ambrose is quite the storyteller and with a twist at the end you just don't know what to believe. I will defintely read more by this author. He is fabulous.

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz - Fourteen-year-old Alex continues his work as a spy for the British MI6, investigating an exclusive school for boys in the French Als. Sixteen boys in a remote boarding school are suddenly all acting well-behaved and studious, but something's not right. Full of heart-pounding adventure, this sequel to "Stormbreaker" is a thrill ride and mystery all in one. It is like James Bond for teens. Lots of adventure and excitement. I listened to this on tape and will go back and read the first in the series.

Elizabeth Chase & Tom McGowan series by Martha C. Lawrence
I love this series. It is so well written and developed. Plus since I lived in San Diego when these books were written it's like a visit home.

Book 1 - Murder in Scorpio introduces Psychic P.I. Elizabeth Chase when Escondio police sergeant Tom McGowan asks to investigate what looks like a car accident involving an old friend, Janice Freeman. He has been seeing ghosts at other accidents and his gut is telling him that Janice was murdered even though it looks like a tragic case of a drunk driver hitting her car. But who would want to murder a friendly woman who was studying to become a lawyer. As Elizabeth tries to piece together the clues she becomes more and more attracted to Tom but can she trust her gut instincts and not get herself killed. Lots of spooky elements and I enjoy the supernatural aspects of this series. Plus it is set in the San Diego area.

Book 2 - Cold Heart of Capricorn - An increasingly violent rapist has been terrorizing San Diego, but the lack of physical evidence at the scenes gives the police very little to go on. Dubious but desperate as the rapist edges toward committing murder, the cops turn to Elizabeth for paranormal help. Her first step is to hypnotize the victims, hoping to unearth clues buried in their subconscious memories. Success seems imminent, but when her interpretations have devastating results, Elizabeth steps back from the case--only to find herself getting closer and closer to the deadly conclusion.

Book 3 - Aquarius Descending - Elizabeth Chase is hired to find a woman who's disappeared into a secretive New Age cult. Some members seem to have psychic abilities but it is hard to tell who is real and who is good at pretending. This was more difficult as some characters are killed in this pageturner.

Book 4 - Pisces Rising. Elizabeth Chase's lover has been killed in a showdown between cult leaders and the FBI, and she no longer trusts her own extrasensory gifts. But when an old friend asks for help in solving the murder and scalping of a casino owner at Mystic Mesa on the Temecu Indian reservation in the California desert, Elizabeth is persuaded to get involved. She soon finds herself drawn to a charismatic--and strangely familiar--Native American shaman whose strange gifts awaken and energize her own. Another gripping addition to excellently written series.

Book 5 - Ashes to Aries - Chase is called in on the case of a San Diego telecommunications mogul's missing four-year-old son. When a wildfire breaks out in the secluded community where the boy's family lives, Elizabeth finds that man, not nature, is responsible and tries to determine if the kidnapper and arsonist are the same person. This is the first book I have read by Martha Lawrence but will defintely read the rest. Very fast paced and you felt the flames during the fire scenes.

An Embarrassment of Corpses by Alan Beechey - When children's book author Oliver Swithin, reluctant creator of the notorious "Finsbury the Ferret," finds an old friend's body floating in a Trafalgar Square fountain, he can't convince the police to treat the death as a murder. But when more corpses turn up daily it seems that there is a serial killer about using astrology to find his victims. But is it as basic as it seems? Only Oliver'S uncle, Detective Superintendent Tim Mallard sees the true pattern.

An excellent mystery. Unfortunately the copy I read was misbound with the pages out of order so I was constantly having to see what page I was on. Luckily it was only the last quarter of the book. I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery as it had me stumped. I will defintely read more of this series.

Bk 2: Murdering Ministers brings back our favorite children's author Oliver Swithin, his uncle Mallard and his now girlfriend Detective Sergeant Effie Strongitharm now at Christmas time. Oliver is interviewing a childhood friend who is now a minister for local church. Effie tries to find a runaway teenager and winds up as an eyewitness to Murder in the Church. Is there a connection? And will finding it reveal who stuck strychnine in the sacraments? Hysterical to the end and again not obvious who dun it! I can't wait to read another in the fun series.

Beechey's website is fun to read to learn more about his books and characters.

Jemima J. by Jane Green - Jemima Jones is not happy with her life. She is overweight, lives with two room mates she despises, works a job she hates, Ben, the man she loves, only wants to be her friend and there seems to be no hope in sight. Then she discovers the Internet where you can be whoever you want to be and changes her name to JJ. After meeting Brad from LA online Jemima decides to become in reality the person she has been pretending to be online, thin athletic popular and a news presenter. After joining a local gym and practically starving herself she loses over 100 lbs. in a matter of months. She then flies out to Los Angeles to meet the new man of her dreams, who more than meets her expectations. But as is with most of life nothing as it appears. Will she ever find happiness? Find out by reading this funny book, very similar to Bridget Jones' Diary.

In the Shadow of the Moon by Karen White is a time travel / romance. Laura Trutt lives in the 20th Century but after losing her 2 year old daugther,Annie, on the mysterious Moon Mountain and her husband dying a year later she has little to live for. So after 5 years she decides to go back to Moon Mountain and finds herself in midts of the Civil War where it is brother against brother. She meets and falls in love with the handsome Stuart Elliott and finds her lost daughter who has little memory of her previous life or her mother. Will she take Annie back with her to the 20th Century and can she deal with the heartache she feels.

This is very similiar to Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. But it was much shorter and it was an easy read. Though I got a little annoyed by how easy it was to find her daugther and her way back and forth between time periods. But an enjoyable read.

Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde This utterly delightful book is set in the U.K., in an alternate version of our universe-one in which time travel is possible and the boundaries between life and literature are porous. Thursday works for Special Ops in the Literary Detectives and battles an archvillain who's kidnapping characters from classic literature.

If you like the books by Connie Willis especially _To say nothing of the dog, or, How we found the bishop's bird stump at last_ then you will love this one.

Lost in a Good Book is the 2nd in the series. Det. Thursday Next is back for another round of time traveling and bookish sleuthing. She's made an enemy of the corrupt Goliath Corporation, which manufactures absolutely everything, by imprisoning one of its executives, Jack Schitt, in the pages of Poe's The Raven. In return, the corporation eradicates her new husband, Landen. Since no one really dies in this chronologically fluid universe, Landen could be restored-but Goliath won't do it until Thursday brings back Schitt. But rescuing Schitt is easier said than done-Poe's oeuvre is dangerous territory. Thursday enlists the help of Great Expectations' Miss Havisham, who works for the intra-literature police force, Jurisfiction, and the two leap into the pages of Kafka's The Trial, Austen's Sense and Sensibility and Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Thursday also finds time to authenticate Cardenio, a newly discovered Shakespeare tragedy, and save the world from being engulfed by an oozing pink sludge. Time flies-and leaps and zigzags-while reading this wickedly funny and clever fantasy. And of course it has ended with a cliff hanger ending when Next literally loses herself in a good book. Aaakkk!!!!

Well of Lost Plots I got this when I went to Montreal in Dec. 2003. I couldn't wait until it was released here in the U.S. Sometime in 2004. A very pregnant Tuesday Next once again does battle with philistine bibliophobes, taking a furlough from her duties as a SpecOps Literary Detective to vacation in the Well of Lost Plots, the 26 noisome sub-basements of the Great Library. Pursued by her memory-modifying nemesis Aornis Hades, Thursday joins Jurisfiction's Character Exchange Program, filling in for "Mary," sidekick to the world-weary detective hero of Caversham Heights, a hilariously awful police procedural. At the imminent launch of UltraWord, the vaunted "Last Word" in Story Operating Systems, Thursday's friend and mentor Miss Havisham is gruesomely killed, and Thursday gamely sets out to restore order to her underground world, where technophiles ruthlessly recycle unpublished books and sell plot devices and stock characters on the black market. Per ususal Tuesday creates havoc wherever she goes. Picks up where it left off in Bk 2. Now I can't wait until Bk 4.

Something Rotten is supposidly coming out in August 2004 both in the U.S. and the U.K. I can't wait! I hope she finally remembers Landen (eradicated in Bk. 2) and that she is married to him and gets him back.

Louisiana Bigshot by Julie Smith introduces african american Talba Wallis, budding PI, computer genius and by night the Baroness de Pontalba, a glamorous poet and performance artist. Talba was introduced in a Skip Langdon mystery 82 Desire. After totally her car, Talba gets a massage from friend Babalu who asks her to investigate her fiance who she fears is cheating on her. Talba gets the dirt on the boyfriend and four days later Babalu is dead of a heroin overdose. Is it suicide or murder? Babalu's boyfriend is convienced that it is murder so hires Talba to find out who would wand Babalu dead. Talba find out family secrets that go all the way up to the governor's elections.

Talba also unearth's some family secrets of her own. She finds out she has a younger sister and tracks her down to unsatisfactory conclusion. A lot happens in this mystery set in New Orleans. There is Talba's relationships with her family, her boss, Eddie Valentino and a host of other interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it but wouldn't put it on my list of favorites. I would read the next one just to see.

Learning to Fly by April Henry The chaotic scene of a huge, fiery chain-reaction car accident leaves Free Meeker in the possession of someone else’s bag and the hitchhiker she has just picked up dead. By the next morning, 19-year-old Free, daughter of aging hippies, has discovered that the bag contains nearly a million dollars - and that the hitchhiker’s body has been identified as hers. Fate seems to be handing her the chance to make her life over. But when the owner of the drug money realizes it didn’t burn up in the fire, things get complicated. And things only get worse when the hitchhiker’s stalking husband decides that Free must be some do-gooder hiding his wife. It is an interesting story plus it it told from several different points of view including Free's.

I really like April Henry's books - not just because we share the same first name. Her other titles are fun because she uses vanity license plate as the ending for each chapter. It is sometimes a challenge to figure out what each one stands for and how it pertains to the chapter.

Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye which features Hermux Tantamoq, an average mouse who works in his watch shop. Nothing extraordinary every happens to him until one day when Linka Perflinger, daredevil aviatrix, drops off her watch to be repaired. Little did he know that his lfie would be changed forever. This book for children has adventure and a little romance. A lovely book. I will definitely read the sequel.

Sands of Time The adventures of Hermux Tantamoq, mouse and watchmaker, continue. When the museum in Pinchester announces a show of visionary portraits of cats, the mayor vows to shut it down. When a mysterious chipmunk claims to have a map to the royal library of an ancient kingdom of cats, he recruits Hermux to help him find it.

Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo is an odd and engrossing fairy tale. Follows the story of a smaller-than-usual mouse with large ears, Despereaux, in love with music, stories and a princess named Pea. This tiny hero faints at loud noises but gathers the courage to fulfill his dreams. With character and plot far more complex than the traditional fairy tale, separate stories introduce Despereaux, condemned for talking to the princess; the evil rat, Roscuro, who loves light and soup; and Miggery Sow, a farm girl with royal aspirations. The lyrical language of this distinctive tale is as savory as the palace soup. All of which become entertwined into a lovely story. It has won the 2004 Newbery award. I read this in just a few hours and enjoyed every moment.

An Artistic Way to Go by Roderic Jeffries features Inspector Alvarez. British art dealer Oliver Cooper lives on Mallora with his beautiful young wife and adoring friends. When his car is discovered at the edge of the cliffs Alvarez is brought in for a missing persons case. alvarez discovers that there are many people who would want Oliver dead, from his wife that is having an affair to the neighbor's who never got along. When Oliver is found dead with his head bashed in a few days later who will be the one who killed him? This is a short mystery but packed full. I have never read any books by this author and will try to go back and find some of the early titles as this one is #19. You really get the local flavor of this island and the culture with a mystery to boot. Olé!

Aunt Dimity Mysteries by Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity's Death is the first in the series that introduces us to Lori Shepherd and the ghost of her Aunt Dimity. Suffering from her recent divorce, her mother's death, and an erratic income, Lori Shepherd receives notice from a prestigious Boston law firm she then discovers that Aunt Dimity (who had been the heroine of her childhood stories) had recently died that she must travel to England in order to meet the requirements of a will. While at the cottage she discovers the ghost of Aunt Dimity and helps her heal the grief that they both have over loss. Makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea with your cat.

Aunt Dimity and the Duke - #2 in the series features Emma Porter, fortyish computer nerd and gardener, who goes to England after being jilted by her longtime lover. At another garden she meets the Pym twins who send her an introduction to see the Penford gardens. As she arrives she is suddenly given the job of restoring the long neglected gardens and becomes entangled in a mystery involving the Duke of Penford. Aunt Dimity herself appears only in name-but no matter for the rest of the characters are delightful. A very entertaining read.

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed - #3 in the series featuring Lori Sheperd and her family and friends. In this installment Lori, feeling like her marriage is on the rocks, arranges a 2nd honeymood to go back to England and stay at Aunt Dimity's cottage. At the last minute Bill cancels but has his father, William, to go with Lori instead. Once they are settled William leaves a cryptic note and leaves for parts unknown. Luckily Aunt Dimity makes an appearance and helps Lori and her friend Emma's 12 year old daughter, Nell, (introduced in Book 2) figure out where he is headed. They discover many family members, secrets and murder. But the biggest mystery of all is will Bill realize what he is missing and come to the rescue. Another fun read in this series.

Aunt Dimity Digs In - #4 in the series. Lori and her husband Bill and new parents of 3 month old twin boys. Lori is running on empty when the Pym twins, Ruth & Louis, introduce them to Francesca Sciaparelli to be their nanny. When the local busybody Peggy Kitchen declares war upon the vicar because he gave the church schoolhouse to Adrian Culver who is doing an archaeological dig in the village Finch, Lori is put in the middle to bring peace to the village. But with both sides very passionate about their cause and scandals abound who will win the war? As usual Aunt Dimity has the answers but only Lori can bring peace to everyone.

Aunt Dimity's Christmas - #5 in the series. It is Lori's first Christmas for the twins and she decides she is going to do it right. She is having a grand Christmas party on Christmas eve and has organized all kinds of parties, decorations and gingerbread making. But when a deretict collasps in their drive way everything changes as she an attractive Roman Catholic priest try to discover the idenity of the tramp named Kit. Once again Aunt Dimity pays a crucial roll in this nostalgic non mystery. A fun read, and brings more awareness of family and hope. We see all the characters change for the better because of one man's plight to gain his dead father's forgiveness.

Book #6 Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil. Lori takes a break from her toddler twins to evaluate a rare book collection. She sets out for Wyrdhurst Hall, and encounters the newlywed owners and a charming, handsome stranger. She falls under Wyrdhurst's spell when she unearths a cache of World War I letters that tell of a doomed love and hidden treasure. It will take all of Dimity's supernatural skills to help Lori solve the puzzle. I listened to this on CD in the car and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately a few of the CD's were scratched so I missed some parts. This was the first one I read in the series but I will go back and read the others.

Aunt Dimity, Detective # 7 has it's first true murder in this cozy mystery series. The twins are now 2 years old and the entire family had spent three months in Boston with Bill's family. On their return they find that there has been a murder in Finch, their idyllic Cotswold village. Prunella Hooper "Pruneface" to most villagers was found dead of a blow to the head in her home, Crabtree Cottage. Given her malicious nature, the residents of Finch aren't surprised by her death; in fact are very closed mouth about it. Lori with the help of handsome Nicholas go door to door to discover who hated Prunella enough to kill her. Aunt Dimity mysteries are always a fun read but I'm getting a little tired of Lori's wondering eyes as there always seems to be a handsome stranger to tag along plus what about her kids? She always is willing to leave them with someone. The emphasis is always on the relationships rather than the mystery. But no matter, fun never the less.

Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday is the latest in this supernatural series. I just couldn't read this. It started with the usual drama but this time from the usually calm neighbor Emma pounding on the door saying that someone is going to kill her husband she just knows it. So I will return it back to the library and try to read in a few months. I think I have just read too many Aunt Dimity novels lately.

Aunt Dimity, Snowbound Lori Shepherd is overtaken by the blizzard of the century. Fortunately, she's soon safe and dry with two other stranded backpackers in Ladythorne Abbey, the fabulous home of the late Lucasta DeClerke. Or is she? In the abbey's cloisters and passages there still lingers the haunting presence of Lucasta, a mysterious madwoman -not to mention the danger posed by an unstable caretaker. It was better than the previous Dimity book, as I enjoy it when there is more of a supernatural aspect which there was this time. The mystery wasn't particularly difficult to figure out but it had an interesting twist.

Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin
Lori Shepherd, feeling a touch world-weary, decides to become a volunteer at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where she can spread a little good cheer in the community. There she meets Elizabeth Beacham, a kind, retired legal secretary with no family except a brother who has mysteriously disappeared.

Lori is saddened when Miss Beacham passes away suddenly after only a few visits. But when she receives an envelope containing a set of keys and a letter Miss Beacham wrote to her just a few days before her death, it becomes clear that there was much more to the gentle invalid than met the eye. Notices start arriving around the village of the large bequests made before her death. And Lori finds that Miss Beacham’s flat is filled with priceless antiques—an inheritance too precious to remain unclaimed. Armed with a few clues and Aunt Dimity’s help, Lori begins to unearth Miss Beacham’s secrets and, ultimately, the surprising truth about her next-of-kin.

This was one of the better stories as it gives Lori some humility which she really needed.